Fairhurst Celebrates the Tay Road Bridge’s 60th Anniversary

Views from the anniversary boat trip beneath the Tay Road Bridge.

This past weekend, Andrew Kram, Partner of our Dundee office, joined local officials, bridge representatives and former Fairhurst engineer, George Taylor, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic Tay Road Bridge at a special Family Fun Day.

The celebrations, organised by the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board on 15 August 2026, brought together local communities from across Dundee, Fife and Angus to mark six decades of one of Scotland’s most significant civil engineering achievements. The community event featured vintage vehicles, free boat trips, heritage displays, children’s entertainment and opportunities to reflect on the bridge’s remarkable history.

Andrew took part in a classic vehicle parade across the bridge alongside Tay Road Bridge Bridgemaster, Alan Hutchison. The day also included the unveiling of a refreshed memorial and new commemorative plaque, sponsored by Fairhurst, recognising those whose vision, dedication and hard work helped deliver this landmark project.

A special aspect of the celebrations was the attendance of George Taylor, a former Fairhurst employee who worked on the design of the bridge alongside the firm’s former Senior Partner, William A. Fairhurst. Andrew and George were also joined for photographs by Edward Hill, one of the construction workers involved in building the bridge, providing a unique connection between the structure’s past and present.

Andrew Kram (left), with former Fairhurst engineer, George Taylor (middle), and a member of the original bridge construction team, Edward Hill (right)

Reflecting on the day, Andrew said:

“It was a privilege to represent Fairhurst at the Tay Road Bridge’s 60th anniversary celebrations. The bridge remains one of Scotland’s most recognisable engineering landmarks and has been a vital connection across the region. To share the day with George Taylor, who worked on the original design with William Fairhurst, and to meet one of the construction workers involved in its delivery, made the occasion especially meaningful.”

Following the formal celebrations, Andrew joined elected officials and guests on a boat trip along the River Tay, passing beneath the bridge and offering a different perspective on the scale of the structure.

The Tay Road Bridge Legacy

Officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother on 18 August 1966, the Tay Road Bridge transformed travel across eastern Scotland, replacing the historic ferry service and forming a reliable link between Dundee and Newport-on-Tay. Designed by William A. Fairhurst and his team at WA Fairhurst & Partners, the bridge remains one of the defining projects in the firm’s history.

Stretching approximately 2,250 metres (1.4 miles) across the Firth of Tay, the bridge was the longest river crossing of any road bridge in Britain when it opened. Construction began in 1963 and was completed in just three and a half years, despite the challenges posed by strong tides, weather conditions and the scale of the crossing.

The project incorporated a number of innovative construction techniques, including the creation of a temporary bridge and rail system that allowed materials and equipment to be transported directly into the river-based works. During construction, approximately 140,000 tonnes of concrete, over 4,600 tonnes of steel reinforcement, and 8,150 tonnes of structural steel were used to create the 42-span structure.

Today, the bridge continues to play a vital role in the economic and social life of the region, carrying more than 30,000 vehicles every day and connecting communities on both sides of the Tay. For many, it also provides one of Scotland’s most memorable views, with Dundee’s skyline unfolding as travellers approach the city from Fife.

Connecting Past with Future

The Tay Road Bridge stands as one of the most prominent examples of the vision and expertise of Fairhurst, where the engineering achievements have helped shape infrastructure of our local communities and beyond.

Sixty years after its opening, the bridge remains a testament to the determination and collaboration of everyone involved in its design and construction. The anniversary celebrations provided an opportunity not only to celebrate a remarkable engineering achievement, but also to recognise the generations of bridge staff, engineers and maintenance teams who continue to keep this vital crossing operating safely today.

Bridgemaster, Alan Hutchison, with former Fairhurst engineer George Taylor.

Fairhurst are proud to have played a role in the bridge’s story and was honoured to support the 60th anniversary commemorations. The structure continues to serve as both an engineering landmark and a key connection in the community.

As we celebrate the Tay Road Bridge’s 60^th, and as Fairhurst approaches 125 years, we are proud to carry on Fairhurst’s legacy and commitment to engineering excellence.